Magnus seated himself close to the fireplace, eyeing Segrid with a suspicious glare. Magnus didn’t trust Segrid this time as far as he could throw the fattened sprite. He felt sure Segrid had in some way rigged the entire bargain. In the past, Segrid had been the most honorable of sprites….but never had there been so much at risk.
Quinlan paced restlessly across the room, his anxiousness making it impossible for him to sit. As the far door opened, both men turned expectantly, eagerly waiting for Taylor to appear. Shoulders slumping in disappointment, Quinlan’s lips tightened in frustration at the sight of Wystra’s worried face instead.
Glancing nervously from Segrid to the two anxious men towering above her, Wystra stammered and started backing out of the door. Shaking her head slightly, she raised her hands into the air. “The One will not awaken…she has become…worse.”
Unable to contain his emotions any longer, Quinlan pushed roughly past Wystra through the open doorway…blindly disregarding shouts from Segrid that he must stop.
“Ye’ve no right to treat m’home in such a way!” Segrid wheezed as his short knobby legs pumped painfully in an attempt to catch up to Quinlan.
“Quinlan…wait!” Magnus shouted. Dancing his way around Segrid’s stout body, the powerful Scotsman finally caught up with the enraged Laird. Seizing Quinlan’s shoulder with one burly hand, Magnus tried vainly to pull him to a stop.
Whirling with enraged fury, Quinlan pinned his burly friend against the stone wall. Sneering blindly with rage, Quinlan held Magnus mercilessly by the throat, pinning his head against the wall with his powerful hand. “I’ll not be kept from her side any longer! Dinna try and stop me!” Roughly pushing Magnus backwards into Segrid’s surprised embrace, Quinlan turned and started back down the hall…throwing wide open each door he encountered in his frantic search for Taylor.
The pale pink light floating from the crack beneath the final doorway immediately told Quinlan he’d finally found her. He’d recognize the reflection of the healing crystals anywhere. Zelda had once used them on Quinlan himself, not long after he’d first crossed over the threshold.
Approaching the bed against the far wall, Quinlan’s breath caught in his throat as his eyes fell upon his love. The pink aura surrounding her body, Taylor seemed even more fragile and delicate then she had when he’d first caught her in his arms after entering the cairn. Her pale lashes lay softly against her colorless cheeks…only the rose glow of the healing crystals coloring her skin. Her chest barely stirred with her breathing, the slow faint beat of her heart barely perceivable at the base of her throat.
Gently brushing the back of his hand against the curve of her cheek, an uncontrollable terror wrapped an icy grasp around his chest. As he felt the unnatural chill of her flesh…watched her face growing paler in the fading light, the grip of terror squeezed the air from his lungs…forcing a cry of agony from deep within his throat.
“Taylor!” he moaned, falling to his knees to cradle her limp body to his chest.
Standing in the doorway, Segrid and Magnus silently watched…their steps stilled by the sight of Quinlan’s pain. Frowning as he watched Taylor’s limp body, Magnus glanced at Segrid’s face in time to catch the shadow of a self-satisfied smile. His nose twitching ever so slightly over his bushy mustache, Magnus’ eyes narrowed as he glanced around the room. Stepping quickly around Segrid, he seized a carved wooden bowl faintly stained with the dredges of a medicinal tea. Raising the bowl to sniff at the contents, Magnus was rewarded with a glaring scowl as Segrid silently watched.
“The One requires the herbs for the pain. The gash to her side was quite deep.” Cocking his head slightly to one side, Segrid bared his pointed teeth in unspoken challenge.
“I’ll not leave her side until she awakens from the drug,” Quinlan murmured with controlled rage. Positioning himself on the edge of her bed, he continued holding Taylor in his arms, as though she were a child.
“That could be quite some time, m’lad,” Magnus snorted as he set the bowl back upon the table. “From the scent of the amount of hianstra still left in the bowl…the lass could sleep for years.”
Tenderly placing Taylor back against the pillows, Quinlan brushed his lips across her clammy forehead. Gently, he pulled the blankets up close around her shoulders…as though tucking her in for a night’s rest. His hands slowly closing into tightened fists, he turned and stepped quickly across the room. Catching Segrid up around his throat, he pushed the gasping sprite against the wall. His flaring nostrils nearly touching Segrid’s own sharp nose, Quinlan squeezed the sprite’s throat until his eyes bulged beneath the slanted brows.
“I should rip your twisted heart from your chest…” he spat into the grimacing face of the sprite.
Clawing at the muscled hands surrounding his throat, Segrid sputtered and kicked for air. “‘Twas….my…right,” he gasped through purpling lips. “The…One…is….of…my…world.”
Fearfully skittering her way into the room, Wystra crossed quickly to stand before Magnus. “Her will not sleep long….please stop him from hurting the Master. Wystra promise…her will not sleep long.”
“Lad….did ye hear the lass?” Magnus roared, clapping his hand tightly onto Quinlan’s shoulder.
Continuing to hold Segrid’s struggling body pinned to the wall, Quinlan turned his glare to Wystra. “D’ye expect me ta’ believe one of Segrid’s own? The wench is wise ta’ fear how I shall kill her master.”
“No! Wystra not lie!” the girl cried, her eyes round with fear. “The Segrid tell Wystra the One must sleep for ten thousand years….but Wystra knows it must not be so. The Furies speak to Wystra in her dreams…Wystra will not disobey them.” As she spoke she glanced nervously into the face of her master….fully aware that once he had the chance, he would kill her for her choice.
Staring into Wystra’s pleading eyes, Quinlan slowly released his hold from Segrid’s throat. Lowering the sprite’s body down to the floor, Quinlan turned from Wystra to glare down into the still-puffed face of Segrid. “Watch the serpent,” he snarled to Magnus, turning to guide Wystra over to Taylor’s side.
“For yer kindness and bravery…ye will come and live with us. Ye’ll be good company for Mistress Zelda. But now…quickly, ye must tell me, lass. When will my love awaken?” Quinlan stared earnestly down into Wystra’s pale green face, frowning in confusion at the sudden smile playing across her features. Just as he was about to repeat his question, he felt the lightest touch of a hand upon his side.
“It’s about time you got here,” Taylor whispered, her voice raspy and weak from struggling to the surface of the unending sleep.
Turning slowly as though afraid he’d frighten her away, Quinlan’s eyes stung with tears as they fell into the sleepy green depths of Taylor’s gaze. “I’ve been here quite awhile, my own…But ye were a bit stubborn about finishing yer wee nap.” His quivering voice catching in his throat, Quinlan felt tears of relief slowly rolling down his cheeks.
Pulling her tightly to his chest, Quinlan laced his fingers through her hair…bending her head back, he covered her mouth with his….his lips and tongue assuring him that she was truly awake.
Wrapping her arms weakly about his neck, Taylor ran her own fingers through Quinlan’s thick locks. Finally pulling her mouth from his, she smiled sleepily into his eyes. “I love you,” she whispered quietly, a single tear rolling down one cheek.
“I thought I’d lost ye forever,” Quinlan groaned, burying his face against her throat.
This time it was Taylor cradling Quinlan within her arms, gently rocking as she dropped kisses into his hair. Love and relief exploding within his body, the huge man finally broke. Pressing his dark head to her breast, he wept against her throat. Her own tears of happiness sparkling in Quinlan’s raven locks, Taylor tightened her embrace with a tremulous smile.
Face solemn and serious, Magnus frowned at Segrid still collapsed upon the floor. “Is that not enough ta’ convince ye these two are one?” he asked, noddi
ng toward the couple.
Still rubbing his neck as he coughed and gasped, Segrid slowly shook a fist in Magnus’ direction. “It proves nothin’ a’tall. Just that the sickness of love seems ta’ have contaminated them both.”
Rising slowly from the floor, he staggered to the center of the room. “The Furies are m’witness. ‘Twas by them that we pledged the deal. The One canna remember even one line of the vows…she is therefore mine.”
“Wrong!” Taylor spat, with a strength that surprised even her. Staring up into Quinlan’s pain-filled eyes, her mind had suddenly became quite clear. She could almost feel the cool wind kissing her face as it had upon the night they had wed. Memories suddenly came rushing back. It was as though a curtain had finally been ripped away revealing a long forgotten corner of her soul.”
Eyes narrowing with leeriness, Segrid slowly clenched his fists. “Ye lie!” he sneered, his withered lips curling from his pointed teeth.
Silencing Segrid with a chilling glare, Taylor slowly turned, facing Quinlan. Releasing herself to the depths of his piercing blue gaze, she easily repeated the vows she had forgotten until moments ago…
“By the flame…our hearts now burn eternal…
By the wind…our spirits ever join…
By the water…our blood now blends forever…
By the earth…our flesh becomes one…
By these four powers are we made whole…
Each element bound by love….
Never one to be parted from the other…
Ever joined by the Powers above.”
As she finished speaking, tears slowly welled up in her eyes, overflowing down her cheeks. Quinlan gently pulled her into his arms, pressing his lips to her eyes, then tenderly following the trail of her teardrops; his lips slowly caressing her cheeks. Burying his face into her hair, Quinlan whispered against her throat, “By the flame…I love thee, By the wind…I love thee, By the water…the earth…I am ever yours.”
His face filled with disappointment, his eyes cold with unconcealed hatred; Segrid slowly turned away from the couple, quietly limping his way out of the room. Nodding for Wystra to hold tightly to his waist, laying his left hand gently on Quinlan’s shoulder; Magnus smiled down into Taylor’s eyes as he quickly transported all of them back to Macleod Castle.
~*~
“I’ll watch over her, Zelda,” Quinlan sat on the edge of Taylor’s bed, smoothing the elegant throws carefully over her body. His fingers barely brushed the silky skin across her chest….his breath catching in his throat as his eyes recognized the unveiled passion in her smoldering gaze.
Zelda flitted nervously about the room, lighting candles, repositioning braziers….tightening tapestries against the chill of the winter night. “Zelda must ensure Her is safe….must ensure Her is well….is Zelda’s fault she suffer so.” Her lavender eyes weary from tears, her mouth creased with guilt, Zelda shoved her hair out of her eyes…glancing frantically about the room for some way to make everything perfect.
“Psssst…..Zelda,” Mattie hissed from the doorway. “Come on….it’ll be all right.” Nodding in the direction of the couple staring into each other’s eyes, Mattie waved for Zelda to leave the lovers to themselves.
Finally realizing Mattie’s meaning, Zelda’s mouth formed into a silent “o”. Respectfully bowing her head, she skittered through the door….closing it softly behind her.
“Hold me,” Taylor whispered…her eyes half closing as she gently stroked Quinlan’s muscled arm. “Lay with me,” she invited breathlessly….moving ever so slightly as she pushed aside one of the heavy throws.
“But your side,” Quinlan choked, his words catching in his throat at the sight of her creamy skin emerging from the satiny bedclothes.
“Then be gentle,” she murmured….a soft smile tickling her lips as she slowly revealed even more of her body to his searing gaze.
Shedding his clothing with the urgency of a man possessed, Quinlan quickly slid his naked body into the bed beside her. He swallowed hard…..unable to breath as Taylor turned to him, molding her silky body against his.
“I remember how we were….” She whispered huskily against his throat, her velvety lips leaving a molten trail as she traced the line of his hammering pulse. Inhaling with a deep purr, Taylor marveled at Quinlan’s erotic male scent. If she had no other senses available to her….she’d be able to recognize his agonizing need by his warm male aroma alone.
Gently, Quinlan encircled her body with one arm, carefully keeping all pressure away from her wound. Using his other hand he trailed tantalizing circles slowly down Taylor’s back, across her smooth uninjured side…finally arriving at the firm fruit of her full round breast, his thumb teasing and grazing her nipple.
Taylor stretched her head back in ecstasy, filling both her hands with Quinlan’s thick hair…pulling his mouth to her aching breast. Moaning with impatience, as he paused at the peak of her nipple, Taylor arched her back trying to help him complete the connection.
“Shall I finally be able to taste ye, my love?” A devilish glint in his eye, Quinlan barely caught her nipple between his teeth, the tip of his tongue wondrously torturing the bud into a tip of throbbing fire.
“Please,” Taylor moaned, pressing her body closer to his….rubbing her thighs wantonly against his prodding shaft. “You’re killing me…” she gasped as he suckled both her breasts until they were love hardened peaks within his hands.
“Patience lass. The thought of holdin’ ye like this once more is all that’s kept me alive these many years. I intend to savor every minute…..and love ye until my scent covers every immaculate inch of yer lovely body.” He nuzzled her neck as he slowly shifted to one side….sliding a warm powerful hand down her belly.
As his hand slowly trailed lower, the fire in Taylor’s core grew hotter….she felt as though she were going to die if he didn’t take her soon. She’d never known a man could make her feel this way….never felt this kind of heat….how could he expect her to take her time….she needed blessed relief!
Grabbing his hand, she pushed it between her thighs, pressing her wet folds eagerly against his fingers. Her hand tangled in the hair at the nape of his neck, she buried her tongue in his mouth as she moaned and writhed against his touch.
“My God…ye’re so ready.” Quinlan briefly rose from her mouth….his fingers diving deep into her heated core. Gently slipping two fingers inside her, he quickly tore through her barrier as he shamelessly teased her sensitive bud with his thumb.
Arching against him, Taylor raked her nails down his arms, the brief sting of her taken virginity not even noticed. The more he massaged her with his fingers and thumb….the more she felt herself building…..every nerve ending in her body unifying into an ecstatic thrall seeking final culmination. “Quinlan!” She groaned, finding her release….her muscles tightening and pulsing at his delicious hand.
“Now,” Quinlan growled….moving his glistening body between her thighs. “Now, ‘tis time for the claiming.”
Just as her delicious spasms were slowing….her pounding heart dropping down a beat or two, Quinlan dove into her depths to the hilt of his shaft. Clenching his teeth, he held himself still as her body slowly adjusted to his wondrous size. “Look at me, Taylor.” He hoarsely whispered, his thumb gently stroking her cheek.
Opening her eyes wide, Taylor slowly licked her lips and pulled his head to her mouth. “You talk too much, husband….I need you to move!” she said just before deepening her kiss to suckle his tongue.
Taking his cue, Quinlan first took slow, languorous strokes…withdrawing to the very tip of his shaft then slowly returning to her very center until their bodies were together as one. Grinding his hips, in mercilessly teasing circles….he used his body to express what words never could.
The heat of their passion rising, the forces of their love-making stirring fires they’d thought they’d lost forever…..cries tore from both their throats as they reached the pinnacle of pleasure in unison….their
bodies pulsing as one spilled into another.
Quinlan carefully rolled to his side, holding Taylor tightly against him….keeping himself buried in her warm wet heat. She nuzzled his neck, gasping against his throat. “I love you….I…love…you…more then you’ll ever know.”
Kissing her forehead, Quinlan smoothed her dampened hair away from her face. “If ye love me…then say ye’ll wed me again….this time in front of witnesses and the Furies.” Pulling her closer, he breathed into her ear. “I dinna want anyone to ever doubt that ye’re mine….EVER again.”
Snuggling deeper into his embrace, Taylor nodded happily. “I’d be happy to….and then we need to see to starting our family….I’m anxious to meet the silvery haired toddler I saw in my vision.”
“We can start that duty now,” Quinlan whispered with a smile….his hips already moving his hardened shaft as Taylor gasped with pleasure.
Chapter twenty-four
The stars were like pinholes of sparkling lights glittering through the velvety cloth of the midnight sky. The blue white light of the glowing full moon illuminated the snowy crag. The wintry wind was gentle, barely tugging at the fluttering cloaks, almost as though the world itself would do nothing to spoil this night.
Magnus stood in front of the altar stone, his shining red hair rippling in the breeze. Fully regaled in his finest kilt and sporran, he truly did Scotland proud. The ancient crest of his family held his colorful plaid draped loosely about his broad shoulders. His white shirt was of the finest silk, full ruffles at the neck and trimming the cuffs.
Mattie stood proudly to one side, her eyes shining with admiration and love. Magnus’ eyes were filled with the same, as they rested on Mattie’s beautiful face. Her deep crimson gown cradled her ivory skin set aglow with the sparkling moonlight. Her dark hair shining like an ebony river was gathered high upon her head. Catching Magnus’ eye, she smiled ever so slightly as she nodded in Quinlan’s direction.
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